Getting Kids Off to a Good Start

The lazy days of summer will soon make way for the responsibilities of another school year. Parents everywhere are busy assembling school supplies, shopping for new clothes, and attending back to school events. Getting back into the swing of your school year activities is important and not difficult to do. With a bit of effort, organization, and a positive attitude, preparing for the back to school transition will be smooth and your child will be ready for the first day of school.

Set expectations for the new school year

Define what you would like to achieve this year. Do you want to work on the amount of television your child watches? Will you make lunches every morning, which calls for adjusting the time for your morning run? At what time do you expect to sit down each night to review homework? Now is a good time to decide your goals. Remember to consider your flexibility and schedule, as well as your child’s strengths and weaknesses when defining your expectations.

Create your routine

A family routine is a fantastic way to keep everyone on track. You can create a family bulletin board, calendar, or place post it notes on the refrigerator. Describe tasks you expect your children to undertake during the school year. Communicate it clearly with the whole family and make expectations easily understood.

Get organized early

Make sure you have the supplies needed for assignments not only for school but at home as well. If reading was not part of your child’s summer activities, add it to your daily routine now. Reviewing last year’s math will prepare your child for new challenges in the new year.

Get to know school administrators and teachers

Research shows that the more involved parents are in the child’s school, the better the child will perform. Volunteer for school related activities within the limitations of your busy schedule. Introduce yourself to the school principal during an event, and correspond with your child’s teachers via email when possible.

Have Some Fun

A new school year is fun and exciting time for children, and sometimes it can be a scary time too. So stay positive. Talk to them about their fears. And once you get them talking, listen and digest it. Remind them that their new worries only stick around for a little while. Visit the school for orientation. Take your child to check out the school playground, or discuss new sports and activities they would like to get involved in. Returning to the classroom should be something your child looks forward to. Be creative and make it fun!

The Importance of the Teacher-Parent Relationship

A recent study by the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute analyzed the characteristics and impact of the high rate of teacher mobility within the Chicago Public School (CPS) system. While CPS findings are not substantially greater than that of other large, urban districts, the results are staggering nonetheless.

The study found that schools, which are located in high poverty areas with large minority populations, lose more than half of their teachers within five years. CPS teacher turnover rates were most severe in the 100 lowest scoring/achieving schools. These low achieving schools also tend to be located in high crime areas and lose nearly a third of their teachers every year. Teachers from these schools attributed their high rate of turnover to student misbehavior, lack of leadership and incentives, safety issues, and, significantly, lack of parental support.

Studies show that schools that retain their teachers at high rates are those with strong, inclusive leadership and supportive parents, who are active in their child’s education. Thus, the teacher/parent relationship is a powerful component for fostering student and teacher stability in the classroom.

Feel free to share your thoughts about building successful teacher/parent partnerships in our schools with us.